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<center><font size="+3"><font color="#3333FF">Ten Tips For Success in C2005/6 &amp;F2401/2</font></font><font size="2"><br>
last 
update:
<!--webbot bot="Timestamp" S-Type="EDITED" S-Format="%m/%d/%Y" startspan -->07/12/2012<!--webbot bot="Timestamp" endspan i-checksum="12535" --></font></center>

<p>1. <font color="#FF0000">Come to class</font>. In some courses all you
have to do is read the book; that's not the case here. There is too much
stuff in the book, and the lecture will key you in to what is important
and what isn't; it will also provide a framework to stuff all the facts
into. If you must miss class, get the notes from a fellow student or the web, 
and then go over the notes with someone who was present at the live lecture. Get
the phone number and/or email of at least one other student <i>now</i>, so that you'll have
someone to call if necessary. The notes &amp; audio recordings may be on the web, 
but it still pays to come to class -- most students get more out of the live 
lecture than they do out of just reading the notes &amp;/or listening to the audios.&nbsp;
</p><p>2. <font color="#FF0000">Take notes.</font> Everything that really matters
will be discussed in class; the book is really just for back up. (This
may not make sense, but this is how we do it.) There are many styles of
taking notes -- some people prefer to get it all down word-for-word and
some people prefer to just write down the critical points. Either way is
fine, but be sure you get the point (if you are concentrating on transcribing
every word) and be sure you understand the necessary details (if you are
concentrating on the point). The web notes &amp; audio recordings are posted online 
to help you fill in anything you 
missed. Extensive recopying of notes or transcribing
of audios is very time consuming and we don't recommend it. You are probably
better off going through your notes and using the online resources&nbsp; to fill 
in the holes. You may find it most efficient to do this with a study group. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You may be tempted to give up note taking altogether because 
the lecture notes &amp; audios are available on the web, but we strongly advise against it. 
Taking your own notes is important because it captures your own personal take on the lecture. 
The taking of notes also helps you to pay attention in class and to remember the 
material afterwards.
However, you may find you do not have to take extensive notes, because of all 
the online materials.
</p><p>3.<font color="#FF0000"> Form a study group or partnership</font>. Don't
try to do it alone. (If you are too shy to ask anyone, we will help you
find a partner. See link on the main course web page.) Study groups are generally good because they help you
go over the material (see above), give you an opportunity to practice explaining
your answers (see below) and provide moral support. For more ideas on what to do 
in your study group, go to
<a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/advice/what-to-do-in-studygroup.html">
what to do in your study group</a>.
</p><p>4. <font color="#FF0000">Do the problems</font>. Seriously and carefully.
This is probably the most important thing. All the other advice is just
to get you in shape to do this. Do the unstarred problems first (to help you 
learn the material) and leave
the starred ones for later (to test yourself). Go over the unstarred problems
until you feel confident with the material; go over the hard parts more than once
if necessary, but don't do the starred ones until you understand the others.
Once you feel on top of the material, do the starred ones as if it were
a test -- write out the answers and write out explanations of how you got
your answers. See
<a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/advice/explaining_advice.html">
explaining_advice.html</a> for more tips on what we mean by 'explain.'&nbsp; See
<a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/advice/problem-solving-tips.html">
problem-solving-tips</a> for more tips on problem solving.</p><p>5. <font color="#FF0000">Make diagrams</font>, pictures, summary charts,
concept maps, etc. The ones in the book (and the ones we hand out in class)
may be good, but for best results, you should make your own. Don't copy
over your notes or outline the book word-for-word; digest each section
of the notes or text first and write your own, private, condensed version
(in whatever form you prefer -- use diagrams, charts, etc.)
</p><p>6. <font color="#FF0000">Keep up</font>. The current material is always
based on what came before, so once you get behind it is very difficult
to catch up.
Some students find it is very helpful to quickly look over the notes of the 
previous lecture right before the current one.
</p><p>7. <font color="#FF0000">Read </font>one of the texts (or the web notes) before class if
the material is new to you. It is very hard to follow the lecture if every
word and concept is unfamiliar. It probably does not pay to spend too much
time on the text(s), as explained above in point 2, but some people learn
better from books than they do from lectures.
</p><p>8. <font color="#FF0000">Ask questions</font>. If you don't understand
something, ASK. That is what the TAs are here for and that's how the lecturer
finds out if s/he is going at the right pace. Don't wait for the class
bigmouth to speak up - do it yourself. Don't be afraid of looking stupid
- looking dumb before the exam is a lot smarter than looking dumb afterwards.
To get the most out of recitations and office hours, go over the problems
and/or notes first and come prepared with a list of questions. The more
effort you put into asking questions, the more you will get out of the
answers.
</p><p>9. <font color="#FF0000">Master the vocabulary</font>. The stress in
this course may be on <i>using</i> the vocabulary, but you won't get anywhere
until you learn it first. So try to master all new terms as fast as possible.
Be especially careful about words that seem similar but mean different
(often related) things (such as peptide/protein, chromosome/chromatid,
gene/allele, etc.) and terms whose biological meaning is not the same as
their technical or general scientific meaning (spontaneous, adaptation,
etc.). Once you get the vocabulary down pat, you will find it much easier
to follow the lectures and do the problems.
</p><p>10. <font color="#FF0000">A word or two about grades</font> The two
most common complaints about grades heard in this class are "the exam grade
doesn't reflect my knowledge of the material" and "my grade doesn't reflect
the amount of time and effort I put into this course." Sometimes these
complaints are justified, but often they mean the student does not understand
what is expected of him or her, or is concentrating on (and spending too
much time on) the wrong things. In this course you have to know how to
use the material, not just repeat it or explain it in your own words. If you think your performance on
the exam does not reflect your knowledge, it often means you have memorized
the facts but have not practiced enough at selecting the right ones and
applying them to whatever problem is presented to you.
</p><p><font color="#000080">To sum it all up, be prepared for class (read
in advance, go over previous lecture notes, etc.), rework the material
afterwards (check notes, learn vocabulary, do the problems, make summaries,
ask questions, etc.) and don't get behind.</font>
</p><p>For more help, see the other advice pages -- they contain
<a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/advice/advice_past.html">
additional advice from Dr. M </a>, or&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/advice/advice_student.html">
advice from former students</a>, or suggestions on
<a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/biology/courses/c2005/advice/what-to-do-in-studygroup.html">
what to do in your study group</a>. Do not hesitate to come to instructor office 
hours if you need more help or advice. </p>

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